Alabama House Speaker Asked to Step Down

Alabama House Speaker Mike Hubbard is being asked to step down by the Alabama Republican Party steering committee.  The committee approved a resolution Sunday asking him to vacate his leadership role until his trial on ethics charges is over.  Party Chairwoman Terry Lathan says Hubbard will have difficulty meeting the demands as speaker while embroiled in a legal situation.  She states further that the Legislature need focused attention without distractions.  Hubbard in a written statement, claims Lathan still harbors resentment over last year's budget fight.  He says her request is ill-advised and premature.  The House Speaker is scheduled to go to trial March 28th on charges that he used his public office to benefit his clients.  He refutes those allegations.